The author at St. Edward’s Park in Austin
I don’t know about you, but I’ve happily said goodbye to last year. Now that we’re officially in the new year, I need to stick to my resolutions. I’ve come up with some friendly tips for staying healthy, learning a new skill, and getting involved in the Austin community. I think you’ll find many of my suggestions to be manageable, no matter your interests and time constraints.
1/ Take a Hike at St. Edward’s Park
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While it may be tempting to join the crowds of people who religiously walk Lady Bird Lake, it’s nice to venture away to other hiking trails in Austin.
I highly recommend checking out St. Edward’s Park in northwest Austin. There are only a couple miles of trail, but you’ll see some beautiful scenery as you walk through. The park is right off of Bull Creek, so you might have to resist the temptation to jump in the water once it gets warmer (just don’t forget your swimsuit when your will fails you).
7301 Spicewood Springs Road – Website
➡️ Keep reading: 9 Best Hiking Spots in Austin
2/ Enjoy Healthy Eats at Honest Mary’s
Honest Mary’s serves delicious grain bowls
(Credit: Honest Mary’s)
If you’re interested in adding health food to your daily meals, then you’re in the right city. Honest Mary’s is one of my go-to restaurants in town for delicious and healthy eats.
The eatery offers locally- and organically-sourced warm grain bowls. Pick from one of the signature dishes or build your own bowl from scratch. Either way, your mouth will be watering as you dive in!
As Honest Mary’s says on its website, the “intention is to leave you better off than before you walked in our door.”
9828 Great Hills Trail, Suite 300 – Website
➡️ Keep reading: 13 Spots That Serve Fresh and Healthy Food in Austin
3/ Work Up a Sweat at Camp Gladiator
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The beginning of the year also calls for exercise. Make it a sure thing by joining one of the fitness programs at Austin-based Camp Gladiator.
Originally started with just 40 campers in 2008, this organization has grown to over 3,500 locations. Not only does that indicate the process works, but you’ll meet tons of new work-out buddies.
Camp Gladiator’s programs are four weeks long each. Each session during the program is about an hour, and incorporates both cardio and strength. Talk about a workout!
9185 Research Blvd. – Website
4/ Learn to Code at Austin Coding Academy
Credit: Austin Coding Academy
Maybe this is the year you make a career move into tech. No matter how long you’ve been dabbling with the idea of becoming a coding genius, you can still learn.
Austin Coding Academy provides evening courses to adults who are interested in coding. Courses are taught by professional developers, so you’ll get a real look into the way they work on a day-to-day basis. There’s even a job placement program to help you once you finish your coursework.
314 E. Highland Mall Blvd. – Website
5/ Learn to Cook With Sustainable Food Center
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Prefer to eat out rather than make your own meals at home? Maybe your (lack of) cooking skills is holding you back. Austin’s Sustainable Food Center offers the best cooking classes. And because classes are usually held on week day evenings or weekends, they’re easy for working professionals to fit in.
Sustainable Food Center even has courses on gardening and handling knives, so you can learn more than just the recipes needed to put a delicious meal on your plate.
2921 E. 17th St., Building C – Website
6/ Practice Krav Maga at Fit and Fearless
Krav Maga self-defense class (Credit: Fit and Fearless)
While Austin may be pretty safe, it’s always good to have self-defense skills. Krav Maga is the official self-defense system for the Israeli Defense Forces, as well as some of the elite military and law enforcement agencies in the United States. It puts the “work” in “workout.”
You will be exhausted after each Fit and Fearless class. But you’ll appreciate the skills learned, which will equip you with confidence in your personal life.
3701 Drossett Dr. #140 – Website
➡️ Keep reading: Get Fit and Fearless With Krav Maga Classes in Austin
7/ Volunteer at Austin Pets Alive!
Austin Pets Alive! volunteer
This beloved local animal rescue works incredibly hard to keep Austin a no-kill city. Volunteer applicants need to apply on the organization website and attend an orientation before getting assigned a role.
Austin Pets Alive! volunteers can be placed in one of the two thrift stores, help with feedings, walk dogs, be a forever home matchmaker, and more. The only requirement after getting accepted into the volunteer role is that you commit to six hours of service each month.
1156 W. Cesar Chavez – Website
8/ Get Your Write On at The Writing Barn
The Writing Barn is a quiet haven for book lovers and writers alike. The location offers online and on-site events, and workshops, to help writers in various industries.
Credit: The Writing Barn
I recommend checking out Write Away Days, when people gather together for a day of silent writing. There is nothing that helps me more than being surrounded by other writers who know the pain and beauty of building worlds between typed words.
10202 Wommack Road – Website
@theAustinot wants to know:
What are your New Year’s resolutions for this year?
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